Hassan signs overhaul of N.H.’s Business Corporation Act into law

The state law governing the creation, operation and dissolution of just about every business in New Hampshire is getting a major overhaul.

Gov. Maggie Hassan last Thursday signed into law a bill making the first significant reforms to the New Hampshire Business Corporation Act since 1993, when it first was enacted.

The changes take effect Jan. 1.

The legislation, Hassan said in a statement, “will help spur economic development, create jobs and make New Hampshire an even more desirable place to do business.”

The bill sailed through the Legislature with unanimous, bipartisan support.

It passed the Republican-controlled Senate, 24-0, then passed the Democratic-controlled House on a 336-0 vote.

Jim Roche, president of the Business and Industry Association, in a statement called the legislation “a shining example of bipartisan cooperation from the 2013 session.”

BEN LEUBSDORF

Health department partners with WebMD

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with a health news and information website to improve the way it distributes urgent public health messages to health care professionals.

Health officials say the department’s pairing with Medscape of WebMD will enhance its public health alert system.

Currently, the Health Department delivers critical information through a Health Alert Network system sent to state and local public health agencies, health care providers, hospitals and emergency management officials as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s national system.

Medscape of WebMD will now distribute this information to its members as well, helping to expand the reach of messages within the health care community.

WebMD is a leading source of clinical news, health information and point-of-care tools for health care professionals.